The Donaueschinger Musiktage is the oldest and most tradition-rich festival for New Music the world over. And for almost 100 years now it has been pointing the way for new tendencies in music and experimental forms of tonal art. When examining current issues – which like music are subject to a transformation process – the composers explore social, societal and technical developments. A both broad and varied spectrum of themes – robots, media archaeology, echo chambers and public violence – play a role this year. The artists “… reflect on the present day and create a corrective using musical means,” writes Björn Gottstein, Artistic Director of the Donaueschinger Musiktage. Concerts and installations, discussions and debates, seminars and a broad-based education program take the festival on October 18 to the highest level.

The artist’s poster for the Donaueschinger Musiktage this year comes from Tracey Emin. Born in 1963 this British artist selected the acrylic work “You came to me at night” (2017) as the festival visual.